Weekly Digest | September 20, 2026

Key Highlights:

Work Permit – Singh v. Canada, 2026 FC 1168
Humanitarian and Compassionate – Grewal v. Canada, 2026 FC 1159
Spousal Sponsorship – Humanitarian and Compassionate – De Almeida Ferreira v. Canada, 2026 FC 1160
Start-Up Visa Work Permit – Thant v. Canada, 2026 FC 1163
A77 Work Permit – Umair v. Canada, 2026 FC 1157
Work Permit Offer of Employment Genuineness
Employer-Specific Work Permit and Compliance
Immigration Loans Program
CBSA Extortion-Related Removals
NWT Nominee Program Employer-Driven Stream Draw
Saskatchewan Immigration Services Act Charges
Saskatchewan Foreign Worker Recruitment Charges
Latest Draws
Important Upcoming Dates

Recent Case Law

Work Permit – Singh v. Canada, 2026 FC 1168: The applicant sought a two-year TFWP work permit for a Tim Hortons position in British Columbia. The officer was not satisfied he would leave Canada, citing unclear employment in India, no pay slips or salary deposits, and insufficient economic ties. The Court also noted few assets in his own name and limited evidence that family ties would motivate his return. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Humanitarian and Compassionate – Grewal v. Canada, 2026 FC 1159: The applicant, a 72-year-old widow, sought H&C relief to remain with her children and grandchildren in Canada, relying on family support, isolation and lack of support in India, childcare for her grandchildren, health concerns, and BIOC. The Court found that the key H&C assertions were largely uncorroborated and that the officer could reasonably find insufficient evidence of establishment, hardship, dependency, and BIOC. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Spousal Sponsorship – Humanitarian and Compassionate – De Almeida Ferreira v. Canada, 2026 FC 1160: The applicant entered Canada with her daughter, married a Canadian citizen, and obtained approval in principle through spousal sponsorship before experiencing financial, verbal, psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. After separation, the sponsorship was converted to an H&C application. The Court found that the officer failed to address the loss of the sponsorship pathway and how the abuse affected other H&C factors. Judicial review granted. Read more

Start-Up Visa Work Permit – Thant v. Canada, 2026 FC 1163: The applicant sought an early SUV work permit for a digital travel business and submitted a designated-incubator letter stating that his early presence was essential for an 18-month incubation program. The officer found the materials did not sufficiently explain why he needed to be physically present in Canada before his PR application was decided. The Court upheld the finding, noting that generalized references to local research, partnerships and incubation did not establish a specific need for early entry. An error concerning employment-offer information was not material. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

A77 Work Permit – Umair v. Canada, 2026 FC 1157: The principal applicant sought an A77 work permit for an Ontario manufacturing business, with accompanying applications for his family. The officer relied on outdated financial records, insufficient evidence supporting his employment and education, concerns about his ability to perform the work, and insufficient evidence of significant economic or social benefit. The Court found the main concerns related to evidentiary sufficiency rather than credibility. A factual error about the Commitment Certificate’s expiry and a shortcoming in the benefits analysis were not determinative. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Work Permit Offer of Employment Genuineness – September 17, 2026: IRCC extensively updated its guidance for assessing whether a work permit offer is genuine, including separate IMP and TFWP assessment steps, updated verification procedures, procedural fairness when seeking information from employers, and guidance on extrinsic information. Read more

Employer-Specific Work Permit and Compliance – September 18, 2026: IRCC updated its International Mobility Program employer-specific work permit and employer compliance inspection instructions to reflect current Employer Portal attestation language, align with forthcoming genuineness-of-offer guidance, and correct outdated information. Read more

Immigration Loans Program – September 18, 2026: IRCC updated all Immigration Loans Program instructions and agreements, including loans for transportation to Canada, in-Canada transportation, assistance, and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee. Read more

CBSA Extortion-Related Removals – September 14, 2026: CBSA reported 188 removal orders and 111 removals linked to extortion-related enforcement efforts, including cases involving criminality and organized crime, across the Pacific, Prairie and Greater Toronto Area regions. Read more

Northwest Territories Nominee Program Employer-Driven Stream Draw – September 18, 2026: The final 2026 Expression of Interest draw is scheduled for September 25, 2026 with approximately 100 profiles expected to be selected. Profiles must be submitted by September 22, 2026. Read more

Saskatchewan Immigration Services Act Charges – September 15, 2026: Saskatchewan laid charges against an employer and individual for allegedly providing false, misleading or inaccurate information under The Immigration Services Act, 2024. Read more

Saskatchewan Foreign Worker Recruitment Charges – September 16, 2026: Saskatchewan laid three charges against a Regina employer and individual for allegedly providing false or misleading information, misrepresenting employment opportunities, and taking unfair advantage of a foreign national. Read more

September 22, 2026: Deadline to submit an Expression of Interest profile for the final Northwest Territories Employer-Driven Stream draw of 2026. Read more

September 25, 2026: Final scheduled Northwest Territories Employer-Driven Stream Expression of Interest draw for 2026. Read more

September 25, 2026: Scheduled Northwest Territories Employer-Driven Stream Expression of Interest draw. Read more

September 28, 2026: Expiry of Canada’s temporary Ebola-related border measures affecting travellers and immigration processing linked to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. Read more

October 7, 2026: Extended registration deadline for British Columbia’s Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative. Read more

October 8, 2026: Deadline to participate in Yukon’s public engagement on the Yukon Nominee Program review, which will inform program changes expected to begin in 2027. Read more

October 27, 2026: Expiry of IRCC’s temporary measures for individuals affected by the conflict in Sudan. Read more Sudan Nationals Public Policy: Read more Sudan Family Members Public Policy: Read more

October 31, 2026: Closing date for Quebec’s temporary reopening of the Quebec Experience Program for eligible Quebec graduates and temporary foreign workers. Read more